"When I return to Bolton School to talk to pupils about entrepreneurship, my message is to 'go for it'. This is an attitude that I had instilled in me during my time at the school where my curiosity was fuelled and I became interested in ideas."

Former Student Excels in US Swimming Championship

Bolton School Old Boy and former Bolton Metro swimmer, Teddy Pender, took top honours at last weekend’s New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Swimming and Diving Championships held in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Teddy, who left Bolton School in 2014 to study at Bates College, Maine, won the men’s 50 yards freestyle, also picking up second place spots in the 100 yards and 200 yards freestyle and the 4x100 yards freestyle relay, setting Bates College records and achieving NCAA ‘B’ qualifying times in all four events.

“We’re getting faster year-on-year,” enthused Teddy, adding: “The team’s performance at the NESCAC Championships was outstanding. We produced personal bests, made finals, broke college records and achieved National Championship qualifying times. All of this is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and our superb coaching staff.”

Teddy picked up a new record along the way. He lowered his own Bates record in the 100 yards freestyle by 0.30 seconds in the preliminary heats, beating the old mark of 45.71 he set at the NCAA Championships last year in Texas. His preliminary time of 45.41 seconds led the field. In the championship final, Pender went even lower to 45.35 seconds, although he ended up being pipped into second.

Bates’ Head Coach, Peter Casares, said: “Teddy’s performances over the three-day championship weekend were that of the finest champion. His actions in the pool were not only those of someone who wanted to improve but of an athlete who wanted the whole programme to succeed. As another coach mentioned to me, Teddy’s a true warrior, ready to take big risks and put it all on the line. And this time, those risks paid off - much to the benefit of Bates College.”

Bates finished off the NESCAC Championship meet with a thrilling second-place finish and one final team record broken in the 400 yards freestyle relay. Pender leading off the Bates quartet in 45.23, lowering the college record he had set 30 minutes earlier in the 100 yards freestyle final.

Teddy received five All-NESCAC mentions this week, highlighting Bates' haul of awards as the New England Small College Athletic Conference officially announced its all-conference men's swimming and diving team.

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Teddy Pender celebrates a successful weekend of swimming in the US

Teddy was described as a "true warrior" after his efforts at the swimming and diving championships